The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
In response to the article ‘Spitting in the street in Spalding could lead to a fine’ (November 10), I feel I need to give my input to the ongoing issues which affect this lovely little market town of ours.
For well over two years now, there has been a growing call for zero tolerance to issues such as spitting in the street, pavement cycling and most of all, street drinking.
I find it absolutely astounding that still the police force of Lincolnshire continue to peddle the same old ridiculous statement that what we, the locals, are witnessing daily is just a “perception”, and not a reality of what they perceive to be a non-issue and not worthy of their time or patrols.
In this article, Ch Supt Shaun West stated “It is evidenced that the existing DPPO has had a significant amount of success in Spalding and alcohol related anti social behaviour has declined considerably”.
Obviously, the feedback he is getting from Spalding Police is false information then, as he, along with the town’s police team obviously are not witnessing what all us concerned residents are on a daily basis. Has he, along with our local inspector ever questioned themselves as to where all these beer cans and spirit bottles come from that litter this town? It’s not your night-time pub goers who are causing it.
Ch Supt West goes on to insult locals with the statement “there still remains a perception of street drinking within the town that appears at odds with reality”. Again, if you did some patrols along the hotspots, which are highlighted all the time by locals, you would soon find dozens of street drinkers, and also the litter which they leave behind.
I read a comment the other day that in 2013, I think it was, 337 penalty notices were issued for this sole offence. Let’s question just how many were issued this year to date. I cannot for the life of me imagine that many have been.
The police claim that calls to their 101 number to report street drinkers have declined. I feel that like myself, so many others would have reported this issue a few years ago, in a time when there was actual interest to tackle the issue, and when we had a campaign to do so.
But now, yes, maybe calls are down. But ask why! Locals are fed up with calling it in because no action was witnessed taken, or when an officer, or more to the point PCSO arrived, drinkers were only moved on. In short, locals feel fobbed off and forgotten.
So will we get this PSPO, and will it be policed as seen fit for the long term residents of Spalding?
Locals recently voiced their opinion about if street drinking was an issue, and should there be a full ban. Around 50 comments were left on Spotted: Spalding Facebook page, and I think that apart from the odd few, everyone stated the need for zero tolerance and even a full ban.
Maybe the time has come for a full proper investigation into the public’s feeling as we (the public) and them (the police) are far, far apart on our views and it needs to be clear on just who is seeing the reality!
Name and address supplied
